Morristown – Jockey Hollow Encampment

Overview

During the winter of 1779-1780, the Continental Army, led by General George Washington, stayed at Jockey Hollow in New Jersey. The army faced extreme hardship during their stay, lacking adequate supplies and shelter. The soldiers endured freezing temperatures, illness, and starvation. Many soldiers lacked shoes and clothing, and some were forced to eat their horses to survive. Despite these difficulties, the army managed to survive the winter and emerge with renewed determination to continue the fight for independence. The experience at Jockey Hollow demonstrated the resilience and perseverance of the Continental Army and their ability to endure extreme conditions in pursuit of their goals.

Diaries and Memoirs

Martin, Joseph Plumb. A Narrative of a Revolutionary Soldier: Some of the Adventures, Dangers, and Sufferings of Joseph Plumb Martin. New York: Signet Classics, 2010.

The diary of Joseph Plumb Martin: Martin was a private in the Continental Army, and his diary covers his experiences during the winter at Jockey Hollow. His diary is considered one of the most comprehensive accounts of the hardships faced by the soldiers during the winter.

Other Primary Sources

Fleming, Thomas J. The Forgotten Victory – The Battle for New Jersey – 1780. New York: Reader’s Digest Press, 1973.

Munn, David C. Battles and Skirmishes in New Jersey of the American Revolution. Bureau of Geology and Topography, Department of Environmental Protection, 1976.

Secondary Sources

Elliott, Steven E. Surviving the Winters: Housing Washington’s Army during the American Revolution. Campaigns and Commanders, volume 72. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 2021.

Lauerman, R. Jockey Hollow: Where a Forgotten Army Persevered to Win America’s Freedom. Rosalie Lauerman, 2014. https://books.google.com/books?id=B6oPswEACAAJ.

Weig, M.J. and Vera B. Craig. Morristown National Historical Park, New Jersey: A Military Capital of the American Revolution. Historical Handbook Series. National Park Service, 1950. https://books.google.com/books?id=fvAx-1BCsp8C.

A PDF copy is available on google books.

Pictures of the Encampment